Five Things I Want You to Know About My Autistic Son

Hi there, my name is Kate. You found your way to my page. Well, Cooper’s page. The yellow haired boy from Minnesota who loves trains and smells like the wind.

I am not autistic. But my son is. I don’t understand everything about him. But I’m learning.

And here are the five things I want you to know about my son if you were to meet him at the grocery store or in line at Target.

1. He is a person. There is this interesting thing that happens when a person receives a diagnosis. People tend to see that first. The label on a piece of paper. And with that comes preconceived notions. And it’s so important that you know, and I know, that he is his own unique person.

2. See him. Acknowledge him. Say hi to him. Talk to him. Respect him. My son is nonspeaking. Which I know is a mysterious concept to a lot of people. It definitely was to me before I had my son. He can hear and see and understand. He has thoughts and opinions and will gladly share them with you…just not verbally. Don’t be scared. Or even nervous.

3. He may react differently than you expect him too. Cooper is autistic. And that means it may take him a minute to wave back or he may sit down in the middle of the sidewalk or he may scream for what appears to be no reason. This is who he is. His parts make him whole.

4. A little grace goes a long way. You may be seeing his hardest moments. And ours as his parents. And we may not make sense to you. Give us a little grace. And room. And a friendly smile. It’s hard being under a microscope.

5. He is doing his best. He is not naughty or a bad kid. His dad and I are not lazy parents. Autism is real. And sometimes it’s really hard. It may be invisible to you but it affects the way he hears and sees and feels and smells. So please know, he is doing his very best to live in a world that doesn’t make sense to him or understand him. We are trying so hard to be here.

Thank you for being here. Whether you are learning or educating or looking for someone who understands.

Thank you.

Finding Cooper’s Voice is a safe, humorous, caring and honest place where you can celebrate the unique challenges of parenting a special needs child. Because you’re never alone in the struggles you face. And once you find your people, your allies, your village….all the challenges and struggles will seem just a little bit easier. Welcome to our journey. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and join our supporter page, Coop’s Troops, for an amazing community full of support and understanding.